Virat Kohli century I Virat Kohli is mentally struggling with his batting: Why is former cricketers Virat Kohli unable to score a century? Veterans told the real reason for the struggle of the Indian captain

New Delhi: The manner in which Indian team captain Virat Kohli was dismissed in the second innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand is being compared to his dismissal on the tour of England in 2014. But this time he is struggling mentally instead of technique. Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes that the way Kohli got out in the second innings is the same as he was dismissed during the England series in 2014.

The way Kohli has performed in Tests recently, many questions are being raised. He last scored a Test century in November 2019, after which he averages 24.64 in eight Tests. Former India batsman, coach and selector Anshuman Gaikwad told IANS, “Bad times come in everyone’s career. This has happened to Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath and me too. I had good seasons in 1969, 1970 and 1971, but in 1972 in Ranji Trophy, I got out for zero five times.

Another former national selector Gagan Khoda also said that it is not a matter of concern. Gagan told IANS, “All players go through poor form. Not scoring a century in eight Test matches or a fall in average does not mean that batsmen like Kohli will continue to fail. He has scored many hundreds and runs over the years. There comes a time when he struggles and it happens to every batsman.

No technical fault in Kohli

Anshuman Gaikwad denied blaming any technical weakness in Kohli. He said, ‘The more you play, the more calculations will play in your mind. Technology runs through the mind. You’d think it would work, but it doesn’t. Cricket is a game of mind and it is how you control your mind. Gaikwad said that at times players are not able to perform according to their ability and the same has happened with Kohli.

“Sometimes the assessment turns out to be wrong. We thought India would win, but they didn’t perform to their potential. The same can happen with individuals.’ Since his last Test century against Bangladesh in November 2019, Kohli has scored just three half-centuries in eight Tests.